Woolworths stores targeted by explosive devices in Durban

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Executive Member

Probably this. Set off small devices in a "controversial" store like woolies - so the general populace thinks it has something to do with the boycotts, and pay less heed.

Perhaps a form of UAT testing, confirming that the signal to detonate penetrates the walls as expected. Or it could be a test of the metal detector sensitivity to picking up the devices that they want to use. Could be combination of all three.

Problem is stores dont use metal detectors, those 'detectors' at the store front are for the magnetic strips in clothing or items. That is why tellers 'swipe' items over a plate at check out, it negates the tag. The only thing that sets them off is a hard drive.
Buy a hard drive at say Computer Mania and walk into another shop and 'beep' it sets off the 'detector'. -found this out through personal experience and noticed it happened at a number of stores.

Centres and malls dont have metal detectors at any entrances that I have ever noticed. Currently the way things stand in S.A. regarding security in popular malls is really non-existent. Very easy soft targets, hence the increase in mall armed robberies.

Well-Known Member

A suspicious parcel that was found at an establishment in De Waterkant Street in Green Point on Wednesday following a bomb threat was "negative", Western Cape police have said.

Spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Andrè Traut said police had responded to the threat and were investigating the incident.

The targeted establishment is understood to have been Café Manhattan.

Adam Spires, who had been meeting a friend for lunch at an adjacent eatery, told News24 that he had spoken to a Café Manhattan employee after noticing police tape around the establishment and sniffer dogs in the vicinity.

The staff member told him that an email had been received from a "strange email domain".

The email alleged that bombs had been planted around the area, "because they are breaking the Islamic code", Spires - a local vlogger - said.

Café Manhattan on its website describes itself as "The Gay Spur" and the "oldest gay bar in Cape Town".

News24 contacted Café Manhattan, which declined to comment on the incident.

Mafia Addict

Problem is stores dont use metal detectors, those 'detectors' at the store front are for the magnetic strips in clothing or items. That is why tellers 'swipe' items over a plate at check out, it negates the tag. The only thing that sets them off is a hard drive.
Buy a hard drive at say Computer Mania and walk into another shop and 'beep' it sets off the 'detector'. -found this out through personal experience and noticed it happened at a number of stores.

Centres and malls dont have metal detectors at any entrances that I have ever noticed. Currently the way things stand in S.A. regarding security in popular malls is really non-existent. Very easy soft targets, hence the increase in mall armed robberies.

Still, if I was a bomb maker, I'd make sure to test a couple, just in case they don't manage to set it off for whatever reason. Don't want your terrorist plot foiled by something that stupid. Good way to become the butt of all jokes in terrorist prison/hell/heaven.

Scary thing if the bad guys are taking their testing to this level, whole other type of BG dealing with vs someone taking a gun and walking into a store. Different mentality, thought process and overall end goal. And its the end goal that scares me.

Honorary Master

Sounds like an inside job to blame BDS and Muslims. And what religion is that? Talmudism so they can learn how to screw over the goyim?

Every sane person should support BDS until Israel signs the NPT and lets the IAEA do a FULL inspection of ALL their nuclear weapons. Until then Israel should be treated as the most dangerous nuclear weapons capable country in the world and a grave threat to peace everywhere.

Honorary Master

A boy arrived at a supermarket in Wentworth carrying a bomb threat, but police destroyed a suspicious parcel found at the shop’s entrance.

Durban police detonated a parcel believed to be a bomb in a supermarket in Wentworth today, KwaZulu-Natal police said.

Spokesperson Captain MP Gumede said a bomb threat was called in on Monday afternoon, after a 10-year-old boy arrived at a supermarket handing the manager a brown envelope containing a 9mm bullet with a handwritten letter inside.

“The letter was received by the manager and in that letter it stated that, put money inside the bag and leave the bag/parcel outside the supermarket

Honorary Master

Police spokespeople told us last night the Austerville Spar incident was a false alarm and cautioned against hoaxes. But this WhatsApp video, a report from the station and firsthand accounts from community members indicate that a device was found in the store. #DBNexplosives

Honorary Master

Hoax callers ran rampant in Durban on Thursday following three fake bomb threats, with the latest impacting the Phoenix Police Station.

The precinct had to be evacuated after it received a call just after 15:00 saying there were apparently explosive devices on its premises. After a sweep by the Bomb Disposal Unit, officials returned to work.

Earlier in the day, hoax callers targeted the Cornubia Mall and the Commercial City Building with both evacuated after receiving similar threats.

Police spokesperson Brigadier Vish Naidoo warned that there could be consequences to making hoax calls.

"This is a criminal offence. People can be charged with defeating the ends of justice. There are implications with making hoax calls. These people use up police resources. We are looking for the people making these calls."

Naidoo said hoax calls to the police's 10111 centers increased significantly during school holidays.

Honorary Master

The UK government has issued a warning to its citizens travelling to Durban to be aware of suspicious devices or packages, after several suspected incendiary devices were found around the city over the past few days.

"As of July 2018, police are investigating a series of incendiary devices placed at different locations in the Durban area. Two of these devices were triggered, causing small fires," the advisory reads.

"You should exercise usual caution if you encounter unexpected devices or packages. If in doubt, contact the police."

The information was added to its South Africa travel advice page on Thursday.

Honorary Master

Durban - Following the recent bomb scares in and around Woolworths stores in Durban, the giant retailer announced that it would be conducting searches of customers.

"We have also instituted a new search process which is for your safety and protection. We realise that these extra security measures may cause you some inconvenience," said Kay Raidoo, head of divisions at Woolworths in an email to their customers.

She added: "We are trying our best to minimise any disruption to your shopping experience."